Primary finding
Probable cause
The pilot’s inadequate flare and bounced landing recovery technique that resulted in a hard landing.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The pilot completed a one-hour local flight and entered the traffic pattern for the destination airport. He decided to maneuver the glider with a higher airspeed because of strong gusty wind and turbulence. With use of the airbrakes, he landed about 300 feet down the runway. The nosewheel touched down first and the glider bounced; then the tailwheel touched down and the glider bounced again. This cycle repeated twice despite the pilot’s attempts to control it with elevator. The pilot was not aware that the glider sustained substantial damage to the empennage until he exited the cockpit.
Source record
Factual narrative
The pilot completed a 1-hour local flight, and entered right traffic on runway 30. He increased his speed because of strong gusty winds and turbulence. He worked the airbrakes and landed about 300 feet down the runway. The nose wheel touched down first, and the glider bounced; then the tail wheel touched down and the glider bounced. This cycle repeated twice despite the pilot’s attempts to control it with elevator. The rollout was normal. The pilot was not aware that the glider sustained substantial damage to the empennage until he exited the cockpit.